53H-13-405. Cooperative education program -- Requirements -- Administration and oversight.

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Effective 10/14/2025

(1)The following entities shall collaborate to create and implement the co-op:

(a)the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education;

(b)an engineering focused trade association that the Talent, Education, and Industry Alignment Board created in Section 53H-13-302 selects;

(c)Weber State University;

(d)University of Utah;

(e)Utah State University;

(f)Utah Tech University;

(g)Southern Utah University;

(h)Utah Valley University; and

(i)Talent Ready Utah established in Section 53H-13-303 .

(2)The entities listed in Subsection

(1)shall collaborate to:

(a)establish program requirements and standards for cooperative education experiences that:

(i)occur during a student's third or fourth academic year;

(ii)are equivalent to two continuous academic terms; and

(iii)align with degree requirements and career pathways;

(b)develop the policies for academic credit recognition;

(c)create program evaluation metrics;

(d)maintain oversight of program implementation; and

(e)focus the program's initial efforts on high-demand jobs in fields that require an engineering degree, including the life-sciences sector.

(3)In accordance with the program components described under Subsection

(2), a participating institution shall:

(a)establish admission criteria for the cooperative education program;

(b)create preparatory workshops that address:

(i)career development;

(ii)professional skill building;

(iii)workplace communication; and

(iv)employment preparation;

(c)develop procedures for:

(i)program orientation;

(ii)academic progress monitoring;

(iii)experience documentation; and

(iv)performance evaluation;

(d)assign a cooperative education advisor who will:

(i)provide regular guidance;

(ii)monitor academic alignment;

(iii)coordinate with workplace mentors; and

(iv)assess learning outcomes; and

(e)maintain records of:

(i)placement details;

(ii)student progress;

(iii)completed evaluations; and

(iv)program outcomes.

(4)The engineering focused trade association described in Subsection

(1)shall:

(a)identify and recruit qualified employers from the engineering focused trade association's membership;

(b)communicate industry needs to participating institutions;

(c)facilitate employer participation in co-op development; and

(d)promote co-op opportunities within engineering sectors, including the life sciences sector.

(5)The Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education shall establish employment standards that require participating employers to:

(a)provide compensation that:

(i)meets or exceeds minimum wage requirements; and

(ii)reflects industry standards for the position;

(b)schedule work hours that:

(i)total at least 32 hours per week; and

(ii)accommodate academic requirements; and

(c)maintain compliance with:

(i)federal employment laws;

(ii)state employment laws; and

(iii)program participation requirements.

(6)A cooperative education employer shall:

(a)submit to the relevant participating institution:

(i)detailed position descriptions;

(ii)work location information;

(iii)scheduling requirements; and

(iv)supervisor contact details;

(b)provide structured workplace experiences for a cooperative education employee that:

(i)align with academic programs;

(ii)develop professional skills;

(iii)include regular supervision; and

(iv)offer meaningful work assignments;

(c)assign qualified workplace mentors for a cooperative education employee who will:

(i)provide professional guidance;

(ii)monitor work performance;

(iii)coordinate with academic advisors; and

(iv)complete required evaluations; and

(d)conduct regular evaluations and monitoring as directed by the participating institution in consultation with the Office of the Commissioner of Higher Education.

Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 8 , 2025 Special Session 1